F3: Goethe wins qualification, Bortoleto wins title

Oliver Goethe won qualifying for the final round of Formula 3 in Monza. In addition to the distribution of positions at the start, the name of the 2023 champion was announced on Friday: it was Gabriel Bortoleto.

Before the start of the stage, only Paul Aron and José-Maria Martí had mathematical chances for the title, but to retain it they both had to take pole to earn two points. However, neither the Prema driver nor the Campos driver succeeded, and even if Bortoleto does not score any points in the two remaining races of the weekend, two wins by Aron or Marty will not allow them to beat Brazilian driver Trident in to get. on points.

At the start of qualifying, the drivers took to the track straight away, but after one lap everyone turned into the pit lane, as no one wanted to disperse anyone. The wait in the pit lane lasted for several minutes – the riders began to return to the track when there were 23 minutes left until the end of the session.

Two minutes later qualifying was stopped by red flags and everyone had to return to the pits for a second time. On the straight before the Parabolica, the young riders gathered and slowed down, as if inviting their rivals to move forward, before Oliver Gray crashed into Ido Cohen from behind. The blow was not strong and Cohen was able to return to the pits under his own power. The stewards took note of the incident and qualifying resumed four minutes later.

Racers took to the track for the third time. This time there were no incidents and after the warm-up lap the riders started to try.

16 minutes before the end of the session, yellow flags appeared on the track, and then red flags – debutant Joshua Dufek was unfolded in the Roggia chicane. The Campos racer flew into the gravel and got stuck in it. Many managed to complete a circle before the session was stopped. The protocol was led by Chao Collet.

After Dufek’s car was cleared off the track, the riders took off for their fourth attempt. Bortoleto showed the fifth fastest time and the protocol was led by Oliver Goethe. However, on the following lap, Goethe crashed into the gravel at the second corner of the Lesmo and the car crashed into a protective barrier. The driver left the car under his own power and qualifying was again halted by red flags.

It took time to repair the barrier, as the schedule for the weekend was for Formula 2 qualifying to take place before the second Formula 1 practice, so it was decided not to resume Formula 3 qualifying. Thus, Gabriel Bortoleto guaranteed himself victory in the championship, as the closest pursuer Paul Aron showed the third time.

On Saturday, according to the reverse grid rule, the first twelve places start in reverse order. So tomorrow Gregoire Sosi will start the race from pole position. Together with him, Nikola Tsolov starts from the front row.

In Sunday’s race, Ciao Collet will start from pole position, as Oliver Goethe, who set the fastest time, will lose ten places at the start due to a penalty he received on the last stage at Spa. Nikita Bedrin did not participate in qualifying due to problems with the car.